Amelia Addler [Addler - Nurse’s Date with a Billionaire

Nurses Date with a Billionaire

Amelia Addler

ANJ Press

Pittsburgh

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

NURSES DATE WITH A BILLIONAIRE

ANJ Press, First edition. March 201.

Copyright 201 Amelia Addler .

Written by Amelia Addler .

Cover design by Charmaine Ross at CharmaineRoss.com

This book is for my mom, who reads everything Ive ever written, and my dad, who will definitely hear about this dedication from my mom before he gets to see it with his own eyes.

Thank you for showing me what love is.

By her third day working in the ICU, Kali felt prepared for almost anything. She knew where every drug was in the crash cart. Shed memorized the dosages of all the emergency IV drips. In the back of her mind, she kept a history of all of her fellow nurses lives: their likes and dislikes, the names of their children and pets, and where they liked to go for lunch. But nothing prepared her for the patient in room 13.

He seemed like hed be an easy patient; he came in after being found down, unconscious, on the street. Despite not waking up once he got to the hospital, there didnt seem to be anything wrong with him. His scans came back negative. No broken bones, no internal bleeding. Blood work stunningly normal. He wasnt even intubated. In truth, he shouldnt have come to the ICU, but they had an open bed and the emergency room doctor insisted. The only thing that was wrong with him was that he wouldnt wake up.

Kali was still vigilant, of course. Shed always been a star nurse, and she didnt want her promotion to the ICU to be any different. And when she left him, just for a moment, to help Ophelia move her patient in room 15, he was completely fine, still totally unconscious, and in no danger whatsoever.

Which is why Kali was surprised and annoyed to hear Betsy calling her after she was away for two minutes. Not wanting to invoke Betsy's wrath, Kali obediently came running out of room 15.

Yes?

Betsy crossed her arms. Kalista, nice of you to come around. Did you not have to keep track of any patients down on the floor?

She hated when Betsy used her full name. Kali opened her mouth to respond but paused for a moment this was clearly a sarcastic comment, but she had no idea what prompted it. She also had no idea what prompted someone to unscrew the top of her coffee mug that morning , either, causing half of its contents to spill down her shirt. But such was the way of welcoming her to the unit , it seemed.

Whats going on? Kali replied, keeping her tone steady and free of snark .

Betsy sighed dramatically and pointed down the hall. Kali followed her finger, catching sight of a hospital gown disappearing behind a corner. She rushed down the hall, muttering an oh my goodness, under her breath. She watched as the patient, wearing only a hospital gown, approached Dr. Connor and tapped him on the shoulder.

Pardon me, have you happened to see my trousers?

Dr. Connor turned to him, a puzzled look on his face. No sir, I cant say that I have.

Ah, terrible luck, he said, patting the doctor on the shoulder.

Kali stepped in before he had a chance to say anything else. Okay now, good to see you up and about, but I need you to go back to your room.

He turned to her, surprised, Oh hello there! Have you any idea whats happened to my trousers?

She tried to avoid the glare coming from the nurses station. Yes, come with me and Ill explain everything. She placed a hand on his shoulder and tried to guide him back towards his room, but he wiggled away.

Hang on a minute, Ive just

This way, Craig, she said sternly.

Im sorry miss, you seem to have the wrong man, Ive just popped in for a moment and seem to have gotten turned around.

She stopped, growing increasingly embarrassed that her comatose patients miraculous recovery led to an immediate escape and an argument in the middle of the ICU. There he stood, barefoot and d angerously close to exposing his backside to everyone, telling her that she had the wrong man. She could almost laugh at the absurdity of it, except she knew that Betsy would tell everyone how poorly she handled it and how she really didnt belong in the ICU.

He turned to walk away and she took a deep breath. She was not going to be bullied by Betsy. She was a good nurse. And sometimes that mean t using her bossy voice.

You cannot leave the building like that unless you want to freeze to death. Come with me. Now .

He turned to her, his face showing surprise at her change in tone. No need to get snippy.

She took a firm grip of his shoulder and led him down the hallway.

H e continued talking as they walked . Once we find this Craig fellow, perhaps we can sort out what he did with my trousers.

Right in here, she said, motioning for him to sit on the bed.

Oh, no thank you. The blankets are suffocating, to be honest. And the machines in here make quite a racket, I have a terrible headache.

Kali pulled a wheeled computer over. Do you remember what brought you here?

He looked around, eyeing the furniture suspiciously. I cant say that I do.

Do you know what year it is?

Yes of course.

She smiled. What year is it?

2019.

Good. Do you know what month it is?

He looked to the window. February.

Very good. And your name?

He opened his mouth, then frowned. Funny thing, it seems to have slipped my mind.

Have a seat, she said, and Ill get the doctor to come over and examine you properly .

No no, please dont. I dont want them injecting me with something because I cant tell you my name .

S he smiled. Dont worry, hes just going to ask you some questions.

Really, Im quite alright, I think Ill be going

Sit! Kali pointed a finger at him. Frowning, he listened.

She popped her head out into the hallway and waved Ophelia down .

Hey, can you ask Dr. Connor to come over and tell him that the patient in room 13 woke up?

Sure thing!

Dr. Connor was old school, and Kali knew hed want to talk to the patient himself. She managed to keep Craig in the room for a few minutes until the doctor arrived.

Good morning, he said as he came in. Im Dr. Connor. I thought that was you out in the hall.

Morning, ImCraig.

Oh! Nice to meet you Craig.

Kali suppressed a smile. Did he really remember his name, or was he just catching on ? Dr. Connor spent the next few minutes asking him questions before explaining what was going on more fully.

Well Craig, if you havent gathered yet, you had an accident. Were not sure exactly what happened. T he paramedics found you down on the sidewalk, y our wallet and your shoes were gone, and the only identifying thing you had on you was this.

Dr. Connor handed him a shining money clip.

Craigs Cash, he read aloud. Ha! Isnt that clever?

Kali resisted rolling her eyes. She didnt think it was clever, really, more so pretentious.

It seems youve suffered some memory loss, and judging from the scrapes and bruises, you ve had some head trauma . Nothing serious, but we ll do another scan to make sure theres still no bleeding. N o one can be sure how long it will last, but I will say that you otherwise seem remarkably intact. Hopefully it will resolve itself in a few days or weeks.

Craig nodded. Right. Im feeling better already. But beg your pardon where am I, exactly?